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I lived in Rugby for a few years when we ran 'The Wine Barrel' in the town (it is now, I think, the McDonalds, since it was unsaveable). I used to walk to school, at St Marie's there, and was first introduced to reading in the Public Library along the way when I was nine or so.

Here's Hayley Westenra singing 'Abide with me' in the town. I thought of it when I thought about those homeless people in the videos below, and of the Japanese woman who couldn't stand earning a little as a temp and not giving her time to the homeless camp when there were people in deep trouble. You don't have to be Christian to be Christian, a lesson some of my co-religionists should understand....

Comments

Hi Martin,Your namesake (my long-suffering husband) worked in Rugby for GEC for a year before starting university. He also toiled away in the long holidays. He was then committed to a year upon finishing. Apparently it was called a thick sandwich course.(all jokes allowed).

From what I've heard, he didn't appreciate the delights of Rugby. He tells me that 'The Wine Barrel' rings a bell. Why do you ask? Maybe you've already met.

It's a small world, isn't it? We tended to run harder pubs, so I assume that your Martin didn't encounter the likes of a nine-year old me amongst the various offenders and convicts in the bar. Do the names 'Sundance', 'Minnie', or 'Fuzz Fairy'--there was a tough man--ring a bell?

It was way back in '73 that I first experienced Rugby - as a student engineer, when the mighty GEC was the town. We spent most of our drinking money on 20p pints in Lanchester Poly as the pay was about 13 pounds a week. Sounds like I missed some fun at the old Wine Barrel

Hi Martin, I don't know if this link will work..but I think it's a really great example of a young singer who doesn't have an agenda and who doesn't really care about the queen. Helen Clarke's sideways glances are hilarious and it is so funny to see the old men, hesitant at first, joining in with the anthem. (It's so much better than the Australian anthem.)I really do like Hayley Westenra.

Hi Martin--we were there about seven years after that, though I attended the Victuallers' association meetings sometimes with my dad, so I may have been in some of your old haunts! Thanks for the comment. God knows what Rugby was like when the Sweeney were in vogue....

Mary--thanks for the link, I will check it out tonight. Grand as ever to hear from youM